USA Banner
  U.S. flag
              An official website of the United States government Here's how you knowOfficial US Government Icon
              **Official websites use .gov**A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
            Secure Site Icon
              **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                  A **lock** ( A locked padlock ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 
 U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation
 Search DOT
            Search
                        About FRAAbout FRA
  

        
              Overview
                Organization
                Program Offices
                Resource Center
                Web Policies and Notices
                Contact Us
                Communications
                Governmental AffairsFeatured
  

        
              Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Information from FRA
                Careers
                Leadership Profiles
                Organizational Chart
                Newsroom
                Press Releases
                Speeches
                Fact Sheets
                TestimonyRailroad SafetyFeatured
  

        
              Train Horn Rule/Quiet Zones
                Public Blocked Crossings Incident Reporter
                Drug & Alcohol
                Safety Data
                C3RS
                High-Hazard Flammable Train Route AssessmentRailroad Safety
  

        
              Overview
                Railroad Crossing Safety & Trespass Prevention
                Accident Data & Reporting, Investigations
                Divisions
                Partnerships & ProgramsRail Network DevelopmentFeatured
  

        
              High-Speed Rail
                Amtrak
                Environmental Reviews
                GIS Maps
                RuralRail Network Development
  

        
              Overview
                Passenger Rail
                Freight Rail
                Environment
                Planning
                International
                Maps & Data
                Training & GuidanceResearch & DevelopmentFeatured
  

        
              R&D Current Projects
                Positive Train Control
                Hazardous Materials
                Highway-Rail Grade Crossing
                Close Call Reporting
                Broad Agency AnnouncementResearch & Development
  

        
              Overview
                Program Areas
                R&D ReportsLegislation & RegulationsFeatured
  

        
              FAST Act
                National Rail Plan
                Proposed State Rail Plan
                Civil PenaltiesLegislation & Regulations
  

        
              Overview
                Legislation
                Regulations & Rulemaking
                Buy AmericaGrants & LoansFeatured
  

        
              FRA Discretionary Grant Program Tool
                Discretionary Grant Calendar
                Railroad Capital Project Guidance
                FRA Webinars
                DOT GrantsGrants & Loans
  

        
              Overview
                Grant Programs
                Applying for Grants
                Resources for Grant Recipients
                Training & GuidanceFRA eLibraryeLibrary
  

        
              Accidents & Fatalities
                Compliance
                Conferences & Presentations
                Emergency & Safety
                Enforcement & Litigation
                Publications & Policy
                Reports
                OtherMenu Home
                        Rail Network Development
                        Environment
                        Environmental Reviews


            
            In This Section
        Environment Overview
                Environmental Division Updates
                Historic Preservation
                Rail Climate Considerations
                FRA Legislation & Regulations
                FRA & NEPA Documentation
                Additional Information on Categorical Exclusions
                Additional Information on Section 4(f) and Programmatic Evaluations
                Environmental Reviews
                Noise & Vibration
                Final Section 106 Program Comment for Rail Rights-of-Way
                FRA Rail Program Delivery Webinar Series: Environment
                FRA Recommended Trainings & Environmental Resources
                
                Coachella Valley-San Gorgonio Pass Corridor Investment Plan Project
    

    
    
          The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), in coordination with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC), has studied options for providing intercity rail service between the cities of Los Angeles and Indio, CA, for the Coachella Valley–San Gorgonio Pass Corridor Investment Plan Project (Project).

The Project would extend from a western terminus at Los Angeles Union Station to an eastern terminus at Coachella, and consists of two sections:

Western Section – This section extends between Los Angeles Union Station and Colton and has an approximate distance of 68 miles. This corridor section is planned to utilize existing rail infrastructure owned by BNSF Railway and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
	Eastern Section – This section is approximately 73 miles long between Colton and Indio, and includes a potential extension of approximately 3 miles further east to Coachella. This section is planned to utilize the only existing rail line within this portion of the corridor, the Union Pacific Railroad Yuma Subdivision.Passenger train frequencies proposed as part of the project will consist of two daily round-trip intercity passenger trains operating the entire length of the corridor between Los Angeles and Indio (or Coachella), with one morning departure and one afternoon departure from each end of the corridor.

The Project is intended to serve a range of purposes for travel between the Coachella Valley and the Los Angeles Basin, including business, social, medial, leisure, and recreational trips.  The introduction of intercity passenger rail service connecting the Coachella Valley with the Los Angeles Basin would provide a convenient, reliable, and competitive alternative to automobile, commercial bus, and commercial air travel in the corridor.

**Final Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report**

On June 2, 2022, FRA, in coordination with Caltrans and RCTC, issued a Record of Decision (ROD) and Tier 1 Final Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (FEIS/EIR) in compliance with federal and state laws, specifically the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Through the combined FEIS/EIR and ROD, FRA identified Build Alternative Option 1 as the Selected Alternative.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a Notice of Availability for the Tier 1 FEIS/EIR and ROD in the Federal Register on June 17, 2022. The ROD summarizes strategies and practices appropriate for a Tier 1 FEIS including avoidance, mitigation, minimization, and future design. The ROD also identifies potential next steps in the environmental review process as the Project, subject to available future funding, moves through the subsequent phases of planning, design, and construction. Subsequent phases of the Project will include appropriate involvement from members of the public; stakeholders; local governments; elected officials; non-governmental organizations; Native American Tribes; and federal, state, and local agencies.

Tier 1 Final Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report and Record of Decision
	Appendix A – Draft EIS/EIR
	Appendix B – Public Outreach Summary
	Appendix C – Draft EIS/EIR Comments (Part 1)
	Appendix C – Draft EIS/EIR Comments (Part 2)
	Appendix D – Response to Comments
	Appendix E – CEQA Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program**Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report**

The joint FRA/Caltrans Tier I Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) for the Coachella Valley–San Gorgonio Pass Corridor Investment Plan Project was issued in compliance with federal and state laws, specifically NEPA and CEQA.

FRA is the lead federal agency for the environmental review required by NEPA and related statutes. Considering the broad scope of the corridor and conceptual stage of planning, FRA determined a program-level (Tier 1) EIS to be the appropriate NEPA document classification for the Project.

On October 11, 2016, FRA published a Notice of Intent to prepare a Tier 1 EIS for the Project, which provided a description of the environmental process and scoping details. Project scoping meetings were held in October 2016 to gather comments from key stakeholders and the general public.

The Project’s Tier 1 EIS/EIR and Service Development Plan defined the service mode, operational strategy, and required infrastructure improvements necessary to implement the proposed intercity passenger rail service. Additionally, a program-level environmental evaluation of the proposed service was included in the Tier 1 Draft EIS/EIR.

On May 21, 2021, FRA issued the Draft Tier I EIS/EIR, which delineated project alternatives, resource impacts, and proposed strategies for avoidance, minimization, and mitigation.

**Draft EIS/EIR Comments**

FRA made the Draft Tier 1 EIS/EIR available for public comment over a 45-day period between May 21, 2021 and July 6, 2021. Public agencies and the general public were invited to comment on the scope and content of the environmental information included in the Draft Tier 1/Program EIS/EIR.

Comments received were addressed in FRA’s Tier 1 FEIS/EIR, appendices, and ROD. Under 23 U.S.C. 139(n)(2), no subsequent comment or review periods under NEPA apply to this action; FRA issued a decision in a combined FEIS and ROD on May 13, 2022  as described above.

Additional project information can be found at RCTC’s project website.

The Draft Tier 1 EIS/EIR can be accessed via the following links:

Cover Page
	00 – Executive Summary
	01 – Program Purpose and Need
	02 – Program Alternatives
	03 – Environmental Analysis, Consequences, and Mitigation
	3.1 – Introduction to Environmental Analysis
	3.2 – Land Use and Planning
	3.3 – Transportation
	3.4 – Visual Quality and Aesthetic Resources
	3.5 – Air Quality and Greenhouse Gases
	3.6 – Noise and Vibration
	3.7 – Jurisdictional Waters and Wetland Resources
	3.8 – Biological Resources
	3.9 – Floodplains, Hydrology, and Water Quality
	3.10 – Geology, Soils, Seismicity, and Paleontological Resources
	3.11 – Hazards and Hazardous Materials
	3.12 – Public Utilities and Energy
	3.13 – Cultural Resources
	3.14 – Parklands and Community Services
	3.15 – Safety and Security
	3.16 – Socioeconomic and Communities Affected
	3.17 – Cumulative Effects
	04 – Environmental Justice
	05 – Section 4(f) and 6(f) Discussion
	06 – Other Statutory Considerations
	07 – Evaluation of Alternatives
	08 – Public and Agency Outreach
	09 – References
	10 – List of Preparers and Persons and Agencies Contacted**Draft EIS/EIR Appendices:**

Appendix A – Notice of Intent
	Appendix B – Land Use and Planning Tech Memo
	Appendix C – Transportation Impact Tech Memo
	Appendix D – Visual Resources Tech Memo
	Appendix E – Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Tech Memo
	Appendix F – Noise and Vibration Tech Memo
	Appendix G – Biological and Wetland Resources Tech Memo
	Appendix H – Cultural, Historic, and Tribal Resources Tech Memo
	Appendix I – Socioeconomics Tech MemoFRA Point of Contact

**Environmental Review Process Contact:**
Amanda Ciampolillo
Environmental Protection Specialist
Federal Railroad Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590amanda.ciampolillo@dot.gov

**Media Queries Contact:**
Phone: 202-493-6024
Email: FRAPA@dot.gov

Permitting Dashboard

The U.S. Permitting Dashboard is an online tool for Federal agencies, project sponsors, and interested members of the public to track the Federal government’s environmental review and authorization processes for large or complex infrastructure projects. The Dashboard is part of a government-wide effort to improve coordination, transparency, and accountability. A link to this project’s page on the Dashboard is below.

Permitting Dashboard Link
              
      
    
          Last updated: Tuesday, June 14, 2022 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

**Federal Railroad Administration**

1200 NEW JERSEY AVENUE, SE

WASHINGTON, DC 20590

202-366-4000Subscribe to email updates
                    About Us
  

        
              About FRA
                Careers
                Contact Us
                FRA Civil Rights
                Doing Business with FRA
                Grants and Financial Assistance
                Safety Management TeamsAreas of Interest
  

        
              Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
                Safety Data
                Buy America
                Operation Lifesaver
                Railroad Safety Advisory Committee
                FRA Secure Area
                Proactive DisclosureI Am A...
  

        
              Railroad Traveler
                Railroad Inspector
                Reporter
                Educator/StudentPolicies, Rights, Legal
  

        
              About DOT
                Budget and Performance
                Civil Rights
                FOIA
                Information Quality
                No FEAR Act
                Office of Inspector General
                Privacy Policy
                USA.gov
                Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
                Web Policies and Notices
                Web Standards